Take the initiative

This is the logical extension of No. 2, and it's our No. 1 recommendation with good reason. Like we said in the intro, most people in the workplace don't struggle to get their work done, they struggle for recognition and new challenges. If you see a new project, go after it. If you see something that needs doing, do it. The higher you go in a company, the more you're steering the company, and that means taking risks. Fortune favors the bold. So, as long as you're handling all of your current duties well, overstep your boundaries a little bit and start a new task that's valuable to the company. Let your boss know what you're working on. They may take the task away from you, but they won't forget your vision.